What is the purpose of the Regional Feedback Meetings?

To discuss how we can improve knowledge and understanding of community supports andhelp people gainbetter access to those supports. This will allowindividuals with disabilities and older Pennsylvanians the chance to remain in their homes and communities. This meeting is not a public hearing, but rather an opportunity to talk with each otherregarding the best ways to help people learn about and obtain long-term community based supports. By the end of this meeting, together we will have identified:

  • Gaps in knowledge pertaining to what types of home and community based services (HCBS) exist in the region.
  • Best practices for providing information and educational materials on community based supports.
  • How the state can improve the long-term services and supports eligibility process, and how local groupsand/or individuals can assist consumers with the application and enrollment process.
  • Barriers for individuals who want to transition from institutional settings to the community.
  • Best practices that help individuals using long-term services and supportsremainin thecommunity.
  • A plan to continue these discussions through the PA Link, and strengthen existing local partnerships.

How can I best prepare for this meeting? Review the six bullet points above and consider how you would respond to those questions. Please also discuss them with your peers, consumers, and other community members, and bring their input and ideas with you if they are unable to attend the meeting themselves.

Meeting format? The meeting will be an open dialogue among the participants to foster idea sharing about the issues, potential solutions, and what role participants might play in those solutions related to HCBS. Small group discussion will be followed by a larger group discussion to generate a plan on how to ensure that these conversations continue to occur at the local level even after the meeting is over.

What will occur after the meeting?The region is encouraged to continue with these discussions by working closely with the local PA Link service area(s) to determine how local providers, stakeholders and consumers can build upon partnerships that already exist in order to address any concerns identified during the meeting.